Clear Aligners or Invisalign
The Discreet Way to Straighten Your Teeth
What if there were a way you could align your teeth without having to wear braces?
Traditional braces work well, but there is no denying they come with some inconveniences.
Many people do not like the appearance of metal in their mouths. Plus, flossing and eating
while wearing regular braces can pose some challenges. They also can cause ulcers and mouth
soreness and the wire components may hurt.
Clear aligners or Invisalign solves all of these problems! This modern alternative to
traditional braces involves wearing transparent aligners periodically to effect change in
the position of teeth and ultimately give you a beautiful smile.
You can hardly see them, and you can take them in and out whenever you want.
What are Clear Aligners? Invisalign? Are there other brands?
Clear aligners are custom made aligners which are transparent. Invisalign is one of
the major brands which manufactures ...
these aligners. There are many options and different brands available in the
market today. Invisalign being the pioneer in this field is the most popular
one. In Australia, the other brands which are popular are Smile Styler,
Angelalign, Clear Correct, Sure Smile, etc. All these use a patented software to
treatment plan and digitally simulate the teeth correction. A special
resin material is used manufacture the aligners. The results achieved with any
of them is excellent and comparable to Invisalign provided the case has been
treatment planned well.
These clear aligners are used as a set for Upper and lower teeth and are changed
every two weeks for optimal results. The number of sets of aligners needed are
determined by the difficulty of the case and the amount of correction required.
Each sequential aligner applies progressive forces on your teeth as a whole to
facilitate the movement of teeth into a desired configuration gradually.
Unlike braces, Clear aligners are not bonded to your teeth, nor is there any
metal.
Instead, you have clear aligners that fit over your teeth which are completely
customized to you.
At a glance, most people will not even notice you are wearing them.
Clear Aligners can be used to treat a variety of malocclusions which include:
• Crowded teeth – teeth which are crooked and overlapping ...
• Diastema correction – to close gasp between teeth
• Rotated teeth – teeth which have turned around their own axis.
• Overbite or Deep bite correction – when the upper teeth overlap more than 2
mm.
• Proclined teeth – Teeth which are placed forward more than normal.
Nowadays clear aligners can also be routinely used for severe cases of
malocclusion which require repositioning of the jaws or which require
extractions.
Are You a Candidate for Clear Aligners?
Clear Aligners may be right for you if:...
• You want to straighten your teeth or correct your bite, but do not like the
feel or look of traditional look.
• You do not smoke (doing so can stain the aligners).
• You are willing to wear your aligners 22+ hours every day.
Not sure if Clear Aligners or traditional braces are best for you? During your
consult, we can discuss the pros and cons of each with you.
Benefits of Clear Aligners
• You can hardly see Clear aligners. You don’t need to worry about a dramatic shift
in your appearance while you are using them. ...
Say goodbye to the idea of a mouth full of metal!
• You can eat anything you want. You get to remove the aligners whenever you
want, so you can enjoy foods that are impossible to eat with braces—yes, even
corn on the cob.
• Brushing and flossing is so easy. Trying to floss around traditional braces is
a challenge. But with Invisalign, you just take out the aligners and brush and
floss the way you always do.
• Clear Aligners doesn’t get in your way. Whether you want to play a musical
instrument or enjoy a kiss with that special someone, you can just take the
aligners out for a little bit.
• Skip the adjustment appointments you would need for regular braces.
• There is no worrying about broken wires or brackets. When a wire breaks or a
bracket dislodges on traditional braces, you have to come and get it fixed as
soon as possible to ensure continuity of treatment.
• Keep your confidence high. Many people struggle with their self-esteem while
wearing old-fashioned braces. Clear Aligners lets you smile with pride.
How Clear Aligner Work
1. We start with a consultation where we take a scan of your teeth or impressions to
make moulds of your teeth. We also take ...
intraoral and extra oral photos and the OPG
and the lateral cephalogram xrays. We then create the orthodontic problem list
and come up with the best personalized plan for aligning your teeth.
2. Next, we send your scans and all the xrays and photographs to the aligner
company for a computer simulation of your treatment plan. Our recommendations
and treatment goals are enlisted to them.
3. An company expert then creates a simulation of your treatment by recommending
the number of aligners and attachments. This personalised treatment plan then is
then resent to us for approval. This step usually takes about a week.
4. Review of treatment plan. At this appointment, you will get an opportunity to
see the complete set up and computer simulation of your proposed treatment. The
number of aligners required for the full treatment will also be included. If you
are satisfied by the computer simulation, you consent and approve the treatment
plan along with the dentist.
5. After approval, the custom aligners are then fabricated. We then receive the
full set of aligners in a couple of weeks.
6. Insertion and issuance of aligners. The 1st set of aligners is inserted and
issued to you and the treatment begins. We will make sure that they fit snugly.
All instructions are given to you
7. You wear your aligners each day, removing them only while brushing and eating
food. They have to be worn for 22+ hours each day. Usually the aligners are worn
for 2 weeks subsequently followed by the next set.
8. A follow-up appointment with the dentist is done every 4 weeks to ensure the
fit and progress of treatment. It is compared to the computerised treatment plan
and reviewed.
9. Occasionally your treatment may have to be revised and new aligners may need
to be fabricated.
How to Maintain your Clear Aligners
To keep your Invisalign aligners in good condition: ...
• Take your aligners out before you eat. Always rinse them with cold or lukewarm
water after removal.
• Do not clean them with hot water because heat can damage and warp the plastic.
You can use a mild detergent.
• Rinse your aligners before you store them in their case. Let them dry.
• Do not leave them lying around outside their case especially if you have pets
at home. Pets will often chew up the aligners and damage them.
• Continue brushing and flossing your teeth as you always do.
After Invisalign
After your treatment period is over, you can maintain your new smile with a clear retainer also called as the Essix retainer. ... Retention is the most important part of your clear aligner treatment. The long-term success is dependent on wearing your retainers religiously for atleast 22+ hours for more than 12 months initially. Additional wear may be advised on an individual basis.
Enjoy a Beautiful Smile—Even While You Are Straightening Your Teeth!
In as little as six months, you could have the straight, beautiful teeth you have
always wanted. And with Clear Aligners, you don’t have to walk around with metal in
your mouth. No one will see your aligners—just your results.
To see how we’ve helped other patients in [City/State] to straighten their teeth
with Clear Aligners or Invisalign, give us a call today at (number). Let’s get you
in for your consultation to be fitted with your personalized clear aligners.
Our Principal Dentist, Dr Abhijit Wagh is the founding member of the Australian
Clear Aligner Society and has more than 10 years of experience in this field.